Methods and Features for Positioning a Flow Path Inner Boundary within a Flow Path Assembly

ABSTRACT

Flow path assemblies and methods for assembling a flow path assembly of a gas turbine engine are provided. For example, a flow path assembly comprises a unitary outer wall including combustor and turbine portions that are integrally formed as a single unitary structure; a single piece, generally annular inner band; and a plurality of nozzle airfoils extending from the unitary outer wall to the inner band. Each nozzle airfoil interfaces with the inner band to position the inner band within the assembly. An exemplary assembly method comprises inserting an inner band into a flow path having a unitary outer wall as its outer boundary; inserting a plurality of nozzle airfoils into the flow path; and securing the nozzle airfoils with respect to the unitary outer wall. The inner band interfaces with an inner end of each nozzle airfoil to radially locate the inner band within the flow path.

FIELD

The present subject matter relates generally to gas turbine engines. More particularly, the present subject matter relates to flow path assemblies with features for locating and restraining an inner band of a turbine stage nozzle portion.

BACKGROUND

A gas turbine engine generally includes a fan and a core arranged in flow communication with one another. Additionally, the core of the gas turbine engine generally includes, in serial flow order, a compressor section, a combustion section, a turbine section, and an exhaust section. In operation, air is provided from the fan to an inlet of the compressor section where one or more axial compressors progressively compress the air until it reaches the combustion section. Fuel is mixed with the compressed air and burned within the combustion section to provide combustion gases. The combustion gases are routed from the combustion section to the turbine section. The flow of combustion gases through the turbine section drives the turbine section and is then routed through the exhaust section, e.g., to atmosphere.

More particularly, the combustion section includes a combustor having a combustion chamber defined by a combustor liner. Downstream of the combustor, the turbine section includes one or more stages, for example, each stage may a plurality of stationary nozzle airfoils as well as a plurality of blade airfoils attached to a rotor that is driven by the flow of combustion gases against the blade airfoils. The turbine section may have other configurations as well. In any event, a flow path is defined by an inner boundary and an outer boundary, which both extend from the combustor through the stages of the turbine section.

Typically, the inner and outer boundaries defining the flow path comprise separate components. For example, an outer liner of the combustor, a separate outer band of a nozzle portion of a turbine stage, and a separate shroud of a blade portion of the turbine stage usually define at least a portion of the outer boundary of the flow path. However, utilizing separate components to form each of the outer boundary and the inner boundary requires a great number of parts, e.g., one or more seals may be required at each interface between the separate components to minimize leakage of fluid from the flow path, which can increase the complexity and weight of the gas turbine engine without eliminating leakage points between the separate components. Therefore, flow path assemblies may be utilized that have a unitary construction, e.g., a unitary outer boundary structure, where two or more components of the outer boundary are integrated into a single piece, and/or a unitary inner boundary structure, where two or more components of the inner boundary are integrated into a single piece.

A unitary construction of the flow path assembly may be furthered by forming the flow path assembly from a ceramic matrix composite (CMC) material. CMC materials are high temperature materials that are more commonly being used for various components within gas turbine engines. As such, CMC materials have a different rate of thermal expansion than, e.g., metallic materials such as metals or metal alloys. Therefore, where components supporting the CMC flow path assembly are made from one or more non-CMC materials, the CMC flow path assembly and the support components may thermally expand at different rates, which could affect the positioning of the flow path assembly, or components thereof, within the gas turbine engine.

Accordingly, improved flow path assemblies would be desirable. For example, a flow path assembly utilizing a hub and spoke configuration to position an inner band of a turbine stage nozzle portion of the flow path assembly would be useful. In particular, a flow path assembly utilizing a plurality of nozzle airfoils as spokes to position a generally annular nozzle inner band within a gas turbine engine and maintain the inner band in a proper position while allowing for thermal growth of the flow path assembly and components that support the flow path assembly would be beneficial. Further, a flow path assembly utilizing a tiered hub and spoke configuration to position an inner band and an adjacent backing ring of a turbine stage nozzle portion of the flow path assembly would be advantageous.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be obvious from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention.

In one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a flow path assembly for a gas turbine engine is provided. The flow path assembly comprises a unitary outer wall including a combustor portion extending through a combustion section of the gas turbine engine and a turbine portion extending through at least a first turbine stage of a turbine section of the gas turbine engine. The combustor portion and the turbine portion are integrally formed as a single unitary structure. The flow path assembly further comprises an inner band formed as a single piece, generally annular structure and a plurality of nozzle airfoils extending from the unitary outer wall to the inner band. Each of the plurality of nozzle airfoils interfaces with the inner band to position the inner band within the flow path assembly.

In another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a flow path assembly for a gas turbine engine is provided. The flow path assembly comprises a unitary outer wall including a combustor portion extending through a combustion section of the gas turbine engine and a turbine portion extending through at least a first turbine stage of a turbine section of the gas turbine engine. The combustor portion and the turbine portion are integrally formed as a single unitary structure. The flow path assembly also comprises an inner band formed as a single piece, generally annular structure; a backing ring formed as a single piece, generally annular structure; and a plurality of nozzle airfoils extending from the unitary outer wall to the inner band. Each of the plurality of nozzle airfoils attaches to the inner band to radially position and restrain the inner band within the flow path assembly. The backing ring attaches to the inner band adjacent a radially inner side of the inner band to position the backing ring within the flow path assembly.

In a further exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for assembling a flow path assembly of a gas turbine engine is provided. The flow path assembly defines a flow path through a combustion section and at least a portion of a turbine section of the gas turbine engine. The flow path assembly comprises a unitary outer wall that defines an outer boundary of the flow path. The unitary outer wall includes a combustor portion extending through the combustion section and a turbine portion extending through at least a first turbine stage of the turbine section. The combustor portion and the turbine portion are integrally formed as a single unitary structure. The method comprises inserting an inner band into the flow path; inserting a plurality of nozzle airfoils into the flow path; and securing the plurality of nozzle airfoils with respect to the unitary outer wall. The inner band interfaces with an inner end of each nozzle airfoil of the plurality of nozzle airfoils to radially locate the inner band within the flow path.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended figures, in which:

FIG. 1 provides a schematic cross-section view of an exemplary gas turbine engine according to various embodiments of the present subject matter.

FIG. 2 provides a schematic exploded cross-section view of a combustion section and a high pressure turbine section of the gas turbine engine of FIG. 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter.

FIG. 3 provides a schematic cross-section view of the combustion section and high pressure turbine section of FIG. 2 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter.

FIG. 4 provides a partial perspective view of a portion of an integral outer boundary structure and inner boundary structure of the combustion section and high pressure turbine section of FIG. 2 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter.

FIGS. 5, 6, 7, and 8 provide cross-section views of a portion of a flow path assembly according to exemplary embodiments of the present subject matter.

FIG. 9 provides a flow diagram of a method for assembly a flow path assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to present embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The detailed description uses numerical and letter designations to refer to features in the drawings. Like or similar designations in the drawings and description have been used to refer to like or similar parts of the invention. As used herein, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third” may be used interchangeably to distinguish one component from another and are not intended to signify location or importance of the individual components. The terms “upstream” and “downstream” refer to the relative direction with respect to fluid flow in a fluid pathway. For example, “upstream” refers to the direction from which the fluid flows and “downstream” refers to the direction to which the fluid flows.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein identical numerals indicate the same elements throughout the figures, FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a gas turbine engine in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. More particularly, for the embodiment of FIG. 1, the gas turbine engine is a high-bypass turbofan jet engine 10, referred to herein as “turbofan engine 10.” As shown in FIG. 1, the turbofan engine 10 defines an axial direction A (extending parallel to a longitudinal centerline 12 provided for reference) and a radial direction R. In general, the turbofan 10 includes a fan section 14 and a core turbine engine 16 disposed downstream from the fan section 14.

The exemplary core turbine engine 16 depicted generally includes a substantially tubular outer casing 18 that defines an annular inlet 20. The outer casing 18 encases, in serial flow relationship, a compressor section including a booster or low pressure (LP) compressor 22 and a high pressure (HP) compressor 24; a combustion section 26; a turbine section including a high pressure (HP) turbine 28 and a low pressure (LP) turbine 30; and a jet exhaust nozzle section 32. A high pressure (HP) shaft or spool 34 drivingly connects the HP turbine 28 to the HP compressor 24. A low pressure (LP) shaft or spool 36 drivingly connects the LP turbine 30 to the LP compressor 22. In other embodiments of turbofan engine 10, additional spools may be provided such that engine 10 may be described as a multi-spool engine.

For the depicted embodiment, fan section 14 includes a fan 38 having a plurality of fan blades 40 coupled to a disk 42 in a spaced apart manner. As depicted, fan blades 40 extend outward from disk 42 generally along the radial direction R. The fan blades 40 and disk 42 are together rotatable about the longitudinal axis 12 by LP shaft 36. In some embodiments, a power gear box having a plurality of gears may be included for stepping down the rotational speed of the LP shaft 36 to a more efficient rotational fan speed.

Referring still to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1, disk 42 is covered by rotatable front nacelle 48 aerodynamically contoured to promote an airflow through the plurality of fan blades 40. Additionally, the exemplary fan section 14 includes an annular fan casing or outer nacelle 50 that circumferentially surrounds the fan 38 and/or at least a portion of the core turbine engine 16. It should be appreciated that nacelle 50 may be configured to be supported relative to the core turbine engine 16 by a plurality of circumferentially-spaced outlet guide vanes 52. Moreover, a downstream section 54 of the nacelle 50 may extend over an outer portion of the core turbine engine 16 so as to define a bypass airflow passage 56 therebetween.

During operation of the turbofan engine 10, a volume of air 58 enters turbofan 10 through an associated inlet 60 of the nacelle 50 and/or fan section 14. As the volume of air 58 passes across fan blades 40, a first portion of the air 58 as indicated by arrows 62 is directed or routed into the bypass airflow passage 56 and a second portion of the air 58 as indicated by arrows 64 is directed or routed into the LP compressor 22. The ratio between the first portion of air 62 and the second portion of air 64 is commonly known as a bypass ratio. The pressure of the second portion of air 64 is then increased as it is routed through the high pressure (HP) compressor 24 and into the combustion section 26, where it is mixed with fuel and burned to provide combustion gases 66.

The combustion gases 66 are routed through the HP turbine 28 where a portion of thermal and/or kinetic energy from the combustion gases 66 is extracted via sequential stages of HP turbine stator vanes 68 that are coupled to the outer casing 18 and HP turbine rotor blades 70 that are coupled to the HP shaft or spool 34, thus causing the HP shaft or spool 34 to rotate, thereby supporting operation of the HP compressor 24. The combustion gases 66 are then routed through the LP turbine 30 where a second portion of thermal and kinetic energy is extracted from the combustion gases 66 via sequential stages of LP turbine stator vanes 72 that are coupled to the outer casing 18 and LP turbine rotor blades 74 that are coupled to the LP shaft or spool 36, thus causing the LP shaft or spool 36 to rotate, thereby supporting operation of the LP compressor 22 and/or rotation of the fan 38.

The combustion gases 66 are subsequently routed through the jet exhaust nozzle section 32 of the core turbine engine 16 to provide propulsive thrust. Simultaneously, the pressure of the first portion of air 62 is substantially increased as the first portion of air 62 is routed through the bypass airflow passage 56 before it is exhausted from a fan nozzle exhaust section 76 of the turbofan 10, also providing propulsive thrust. The HP turbine 28, the LP turbine 30, and the jet exhaust nozzle section 32 at least partially define a hot gas path 78 for routing the combustion gases 66 through the core turbine engine 16.

It will be appreciated that, although described with respect to turbofan 10 having core turbine engine 16, the present subject matter may be applicable to other types of turbomachinery. For example, the present subject matter may be suitable for use with or in turboprops, turboshafts, turbojets, industrial and marine gas turbine engines, and/or auxiliary power units.

In some embodiments, components of turbofan engine 10, particularly components within hot gas path 78, such as components of combustion section 26, HP turbine 28, and/or LP turbine 30, may comprise a ceramic matrix composite (CMC) material, which is a non-metallic material having high temperature capability. Of course, other components of turbofan engine 10, such as components of HP compressor 24, may comprise a CMC material. Exemplary CMC materials utilized for such components may include silicon carbide (SiC), silicon, silica, or alumina matrix materials and combinations thereof. Ceramic fibers may be embedded within the matrix, such as oxidation stable reinforcing fibers including monofilaments like sapphire and silicon carbide (e.g., Textron's SCS-6), as well as rovings and yarn including silicon carbide (e.g., Nippon Carbon's NICALON®, Ube Industries' TYRANNO®, and Dow Corning's SYLRAMIC®), alumina silicates (e.g., Nextel's 440 and 480), and chopped whiskers and fibers (e.g., Nextel's 440 and SAFFIL®), and optionally ceramic particles (e.g., oxides of Si, Al, Zr, Y, and combinations thereof) and inorganic fillers (e.g., pyrophillite, wollastonite, mica, talc, kyanite, and montmorillonite). For example, in certain embodiments, bundles of the fibers, which may include a ceramic refractory material coating, are formed as a reinforced tape, such as a unidirectional reinforced tape. A plurality of the tapes may be laid up together (e.g., as plies) to form a preform component. The bundles of fibers may be impregnated with a slurry composition prior to forming the preform or after formation of the preform. The preform may then undergo thermal processing, such as a cure or burn-out to yield a high char residue in the preform, and subsequent chemical processing, such as melt-infiltration or chemical vapor infiltration with silicon, to arrive at a component formed of a CMC material having a desired chemical composition. In other embodiments, the CMC material may be formed as, e.g., a carbon fiber cloth rather than as a tape.

As stated, components comprising a CMC material may be used within the hot gas path 78, such as within the combustion and/or turbine sections of engine 10. As an example, the combustion section 26 may include a combustor formed from a CMC material and/or one or more stages of one or more stages of the HP turbine 28 may be formed from a CMC material. However, CMC components may be used in other sections as well, such as the compressor and/or fan sections. Of course, in some embodiments, other high temperature materials and/or other composite materials may be used to form one or more components of engine 10.

FIG. 2 provides an exploded view of a schematic cross-section of the combustion section 26 and the HP turbine 28 of the turbine section of the turbofan engine 10 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter. FIG. 3 provides an unexploded schematic cross-sectional view of the combustion section 26 and the HP turbine 28 of FIG. 2 that focuses on an outer boundary of a flow path through the combustion section 26 and HP turbine 28. The depicted combustion section 26 includes a generally annular combustor 80, and downstream of the combustion section 26, the HP turbine 28 includes a plurality of turbine stages. More particularly, for the depicted embodiment, HP turbine 28 includes a first turbine stage 82 and a second turbine stage 84. In other embodiments, the HP turbine 28 may comprise a different number of turbine stages; for example, the HP turbine 28 may include one turbine stage or more than two turbine stages. The first turbine stage 82 is positioned immediately downstream of the combustion section 26, and the second turbine stage 84 is positioned immediately downstream of the first turbine stage 82. Further, each turbine stage 82, 84 comprises a nozzle portion and a blade portion; the first turbine stage 82 includes nozzle portion 82N and blade portion 82B, and the second turbine stage 84 includes nozzle portion 84N and blade portion 84B. The nozzle portion 82N of the first turbine stage 82 is located immediately downstream of the combustion section 26, such that the nozzle portion 82N of the first turbine stage 82 also may be referred to as a combustor discharge nozzle. Moreover, combustor 80 defines a generally annular combustion chamber 86 such that the combustor 80 may be described as a generally annular combustor.

Additionally, as described in greater detail below, a flow path 100 through the combustion section 26 and the HP turbine 28 is defined by an outer boundary and an inner boundary of a flow path assembly 101. The outer and inner boundaries form a flow path for the combustion gases 66 through the combustion section 26 and HP turbine 28; thus, the flow path 100 may comprise at least a portion of the hot gas path 78 described above. Further, in other embodiments, the flow path 100 also may extend through LP turbine 30 and jet exhaust 32; in still other embodiments, the flow path 100 also may extend forward upstream of the combustion section 26, e.g., into HP compressor 24. As such, it will be appreciated that the discussion herein of the present subject matter with respect to combustion section 26 and HP turbine 28 is by way of example only and also may apply to different configurations of gas turbine engines and flow paths 100.

As shown in the exploded view of FIG. 2, the outer and inner boundaries may be defined by an outer wall 102 and an inner wall 120, respectively, which may include several portions of the combustion section 26 and HP turbine 28. For instance, the combustor 80 includes an outer liner 108 defining an outer boundary of the flow path through the combustor 80. Each nozzle portion 82N, 84N comprises an outer band defining an outer boundary of a flow path through the nozzle portion of each turbine stage, and each blade portion 82B, 84B comprises a shroud defining an outer boundary of a flow path through the blade portion of each turbine stage. More particularly, as shown in FIG. 2, the first turbine stage nozzle portion 82N comprises outer band 110, first turbine stage blade portion 82B comprises shroud 112, second turbine stage nozzle portion 84N comprises outer band 114, and second turbine stage blade portion 84B comprises shroud 116. These portions of the combustion section 26 and HP turbine 28 may comprise at least a portion of the outer wall 102, as described in greater detail below.

Further, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the combustor 80 includes an inner liner 122 defining an inner boundary of the flow path through the combustor 80. Each nozzle portion 82N, 84N comprises an inner band defining an inner boundary of the flow path through the nozzle portion of each turbine stage, and each blade portion 82B, 84B comprises one or more blade platforms that define an inner boundary of the flow path through the blade portion of each turbine stage. More particularly, as shown in FIG. 2, the first turbine stage nozzle portion 82N comprises inner band 124, first turbine stage blade portion 82B comprises blade platforms 132, second turbine stage nozzle portion 84N comprises inner band 136, and second turbine stage blade portion 84B comprises blade platforms 132. These portions of the combustion section 26 and HP turbine 28 may comprise at least a portion of the inner wall 122, as described in greater detail below.

Moreover, in the depicted embodiment, a combustor dome 118 extends radially across a forward end 88 of the combustor 80. The combustor dome 118 may be a part of outer wall 102, may be a part of inner wall 120, may be a part of both outer wall 102 and inner wall 120 (e.g., a portion of the combustor dome 118 may be defined by the outer wall 102 and the remainder may be defined by the inner wall 120), or may be a separate component from outer wall 102 and inner wall 120. Additionally, a plurality of nozzle airfoils is positioned in each of the nozzle portions 82N, 84N. Each nozzle airfoil 126 within the first turbine stage nozzle portion 82N extends radially from the outer band 110 to the inner band 124, and the nozzle airfoils 126 are spaced circumferentially about the longitudinal centerline 12. Each nozzle airfoil 128 within the second turbine stage nozzle portion 84N extends radially from the outer band 114 to the inner band 136, and the nozzle airfoils 128 are spaced circumferentially about the longitudinal centerline 12. Further, a plurality of blade airfoils 130 are positioned in each of the blade portions 82B, 84B. Each blade airfoil 130 within the first turbine stage blade portion 82B is attached to blade platform 132, which in turn is attached to a first stage rotor 134. The blade airfoils 130 attached to the first stage rotor 134 are spaced circumferentially about the longitudinal centerline 12. Similarly, each blade airfoil 130 within the second turbine stage blade portion 84B is attached to a blade platform 132, which in turn is attached to a second stage rotor 138. The blade airfoils 130 attached to the second stage rotor 138 are spaced circumferentially about the longitudinal centerline 12. Each blade airfoils 130 extends radially outward toward the outer wall 102, i.e., the outer boundary of the flow path 100, and a clearance gap is defined between a tip 140 of each blade airfoil 130 and the outer wall 102 such that each turbine rotor 134, 138 is free to rotate within its respective turbine stage. Although not depicted, each turbine rotor 134, 138 of the HP turbine 28 is connected to the HP shaft 34 (FIG. 1). In such manner, rotor blade airfoils 130 may extract kinetic energy from the flow of combustion gases through the flow path 100 defined by the HP turbine 28 as rotational energy applied to the HP shaft 34.

Accordingly, flow path 100 through the combustion section 26 and the HP turbine 28 is defined by a flow path assembly 101 having an inner boundary and an outer boundary, and the inner and outer boundaries define the flow path for the combustion gases 66 through the combustion section 26 and HP turbine 28. Portions of the outer boundary of the flow path assembly 101 may be integrated or unified into a single piece outer wall 102 that defines the radially outer boundary of the gas flow path 100. For instance, the outer wall 102 may include a combustor portion 104 extending through a combustion section, such as combustion section 26, and a turbine portion 106 extending through at least a first turbine stage of a turbine section, such as first turbine stage 82 of HP turbine 28. The combustor portion 104 and turbine portion 106 are integrally formed such that the combustor portion and the turbine portion are a single unitary structure, i.e., a unitary outer wall 102.

In the exemplary embodiment depicted in FIG. 3A, the outer wall 102 includes a combustor portion 104 extending through the combustion section 26 and a turbine portion 106 extending through at least the first turbine stage 82 and the second turbine stage 84 of the turbine section. In other embodiments, the turbine portion 106 may extend through fewer stages (e.g., through one turbine stage as just described) or through more stages (e.g., through one or more stages of the LP turbine 30 positioned downstream of HP turbine 28). The combustor portion 104 and the turbine portion 106 are integrally formed such that the combustor portion 104 and the turbine portion 106 are a single unitary structure, which is referred to herein as unitary outer wall 102.

The term “unitary” as used herein denotes that the associated component, such as the outer wall 102, is made as a single piece during manufacturing, i.e., the final unitary component is a single piece. Thus, a unitary component has a construction in which the integrated portions are inseparable and is different from a component comprising a plurality of separate component pieces that have been joined together and, once joined, are referred to as a single component even though the component pieces remain distinct and the single component is not inseparable (i.e., the pieces may be re-separated). The final unitary component may comprise a substantially continuous piece of material, or in other embodiments, may comprise a plurality of portions that are permanently bonded to one another. In any event, the various portions forming a unitary component are integrated with one another such that the unitary component is a single piece with inseparable portions.

As shown in FIG. 3, the combustor portion 104 of the unitary structure forming outer wall 102 includes the outer liner 108 of the combustor 80. The turbine portion 106 includes the outer band 110 of the first turbine stage nozzle portion 82N, the shroud 112 of the first turbine stage blade portion 82B, the outer band 114 of the second turbine stage nozzle portion 84N, and the shroud 116 of the second turbine stage blade portion 84B. As stated, these outer boundary components are integrated into a single piece to form the unitary structure that is outer wall 102. Thus, in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 2, outer liner 108, outer band 110, shroud 112, outer band 114, and shroud 116 are integrally formed, i.e., constructed as a single unit or piece to form the integrated or unitary outer wall 102.

In some embodiments, other portions of the flow path assembly 101 may be integrated into the unitary structure of outer wall 102, and in still other embodiments, at least a portion of the outer boundary and the inner boundary are made as a single, unitary component such that the flow path assembly 101 may be referred to as an integrated flow path assembly. Thus, in various embodiments, the outer wall 102 may include various portions of the components along the outer portion of the flow path 100 and the inner wall 120 may include various portions of the components along the inner portion of the flow path 100. For instance, as shown in FIG. 3, the outer wall 102 may be a unitary outer wall 102 where the outer liner 108, outer band 110, shroud 112, outer band 114, and shroud 116 are integrally formed, i.e., constructed as a single unit or piece to form the integrated or unitary outer wall 102. In another embodiment, the outer wall 102 may include a portion of the combustor dome 118 or may be integrated with the entire combustor dome 118 such that the combustor dome 118 and one or more portions of the outer section of the flow path 100 are a single, integral piece. In still other embodiments, the inner wall 120 may include a portion of the combustor dome 118 or may be integrated with the entire combustor dome 118 such that the combustor dome 118 and one or more portions of the inner section of the flow path 100 are a single, integral piece. For example, the flow path assembly 101 may include an outer wall 102 that comprises a radially outer portion of the combustor dome 118 and the outer liner 108, which are integrally formed from a CMC material as a single unit or piece, and an inner wall 120 that comprises a radially inner portion of the combustor dome 118 and the inner liner 108, which are integrally formed from a CMC material as a single unit or piece.

In yet other embodiments, the combustor dome 118 may not be integrated with either the outer wall 102 or the inner wall 120 in whole or in part. That is, the combustor dome 118 is a separate component from both the outer wall 102 and the inner wall 120. As such, the flow path 100 may be discontinuous between the combustor dome 118 and outer wall 102, as well as between combustor dome 118 and inner wall 120. Further, in such embodiments, the combustor dome 118 is configured to move axially with respect to the inner wall 120 and the outer wall 102 but may be attached to, and accordingly supported by, one or more fuel nozzle assemblies 90. More particularly, an axial slip joint may be formed between the combustor dome 118 and each of the outer wall 102 and the inner wall 120 such that the combustor dome 118 may move or float axially with respect to the inner wall 120 and outer wall 102. Allowing the combustor dome 118 to float relative to the outer wall 102 and inner wall 120 can help control the position of the fuel nozzle assembly 90 with respect to the combustor dome 118 and combustor 80. For example, the combustor dome 118, outer wall 102, and inner wall 120 may be made of a different material or materials than the fuel nozzle assembly 90. As described in greater detail below, in an exemplary embodiment, the combustor dome 118, outer wall 102, and inner wall 120 are made from a ceramic matrix composite (CMC) material, and the fuel nozzle assembly 90 may be made from a metallic material, e.g., a metal alloy or the like. In such embodiment, the CMC material thermally grows or expands at a different rate than the metallic material. Thus, allowing the combustor dome 118 to move axially with respect to outer and inner walls 102, 120 may allow for tighter control of the immersion of swirler 92 of fuel nozzle assembly 90 within combustor dome 118, as well as combustor 80, than if the combustor dome 118 was attached to the outer and inner walls 102, 120. Tighter control of the position of fuel nozzle assembly 90 and its components with respect to combustor 80 can reduce variation in operability and performance of engine 10.

Additionally, in embodiments in which the combustor dome 118 is separate from the outer and inner walls 102, 120, the outer wall 102 and inner wall 120 also may move axially and radially with respect to the combustor dome 118. By decoupling the combustor dome 118 from the walls 102, 120 and allowing relative movement between the walls 102, 120 and the combustor dome 118, stress coupling may be alleviated between the outer and inner walls 102, 120 and the combustor dome 118. Moreover, any leakage between the uncoupled combustor dome 118 and outer and inner walls 102, 120 may be utilized as purge and/or film starter flow.

FIG. 4 provides a partial perspective view of a portion of an integral flow path assembly 101, having an outer wall 102 and inner wall 120 formed as a single piece component. As shown in FIG. 4, in some embodiments of the combustion gas flow path assembly 101, the outer liner 108, outer band 110, shroud 112, outer band 114, shroud 116, combustor dome 118, inner liner 122, and inner band 124 are integrally formed such that the outer liner 108, outer bands 110, 114, shrouds 112, 116, combustor dome 118, inner liner 122, and inner band 124 are a single unitary structure. FIG. 4 further illustrates that a plurality of openings 142 for receipt of fuel nozzle assemblies 90 and/or swirlers 92 may be defined in the forward end 88 of combustor 80 of the unitary flow path assembly 101. Further, it will be appreciated that FIG. 4 illustrates only a portion of the integral flow path assembly 101 and that, although its entire circumference is not illustrated in FIG. 4, the flow path assembly 101 is a single, unitary piece circumferentially as well as axially. As such, the integral flow path assembly 101 defines a generally annular, i.e., generally ring-shaped, flow path between the outer wall 102 and inner wall 120.

Integrating various components of the outer and inner boundaries of the flow path assembly 101 as described above can reduce the number of separate pieces or components within engine 10, as well as reduce the weight, leakage, and complexity of the engine 10, compared to known gas turbine engines. For instance, known gas turbine engines employ seals or sealing mechanisms at the interfaces between separate pieces of the flow path assembly to attempt to minimize leakage of combustion gases from the flow path. By integrating the outer boundary, for example, as described with respect to unitary outer wall 102, split points or interfaces between the outer combustor liner and first turbine stage outer band, the first turbine stage outer band and the first turbine stage shroud, etc. can be eliminated, thereby eliminating leakage points as well as seals or sealing mechanisms required to prevent leakage. Similarly, by integrating components of the inner boundary, split points or interfaces between the integrated inner boundary components are eliminated, thereby eliminating leakage points and seals or sealing mechanisms required at the inner boundary. Accordingly, undesired leakage, as well as unnecessary weight and complexity, can be avoided by utilizing unitary components in the flow path assembly. Other advantages of unitary outer wall 102, unitary inner wall 120, and/or a unitary flow path assembly 101 will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art.

As most clearly illustrated in FIG. 4, the outer wall 102 and the inner wall 120 define a generally annular flow path therebetween. That is, the unitary outer wall 102 circumferentially surrounds the inner wall 120; stated differently, the unitary outer wall 102 is a single piece extending 360° degrees about the inner wall 120, thereby defining a generally annular or ring-shaped flow path therebetween. As such, the combustor dome 118, which extends across the forward end 88 of the combustor 80, is a generally annular combustor dome 118. Further, the combustor dome 118 defines an opening 142 for receipt of a fuel nozzle assembly 90 positioned at forward end 88. The fuel nozzle assembly 90, e.g., provides combustion chamber 86 with a mixture of fuel and compressed air from the compressor section, which is combusted within the combustion chamber 86 to generate a flow of combustion gases through the flow path 100. The fuel nozzle assembly 90 may attach to the combustor dome 118 or may “float” relative to the combustor dome 118 and the flow path 100, i.e., the fuel nozzle assembly 90 may not be attached to the combustor dome 118. In the illustrated embodiments, the fuel nozzle assembly 90 includes a swirler 92, and in some embodiments, the swirler 92 may attach to the combustor dome 118, but alternatively, the swirler 92 may float relative to the combustor dome 118 and flow path 100. It will be appreciated that the fuel nozzle assembly 90 or swirler 92 may float relative to the combustor dome 118 and flow path 100 along both a radial direction R and an axial direction A or only along one or the other of the radial and axial directions R, A. Further, it will be understood that the combustor dome 118 may define a plurality of openings 142, each opening receiving a swirler 92 or other portion of fuel nozzle assembly 90.

As further illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4, the flow path assembly 101 generally defines a converging-diverging flow path 100. More particularly, the outer wall 102 and the inner wall 120 define a generally annular combustion chamber 86, which forms a forward portion of the flow path 100. Moving aft or downstream of combustion chamber 86, the outer wall 102 and inner wall 120 converge toward one another, generally in the region of first turbine stage 82. Continuing downstream of the first turbine stage 82, the outer wall 102 and inner wall 120 then diverge, generally in the region of second turbine stage 84. The outer wall 102 and inner wall 120 may continue to diverge downstream of the second turbine stage 84. In exemplary embodiments, e.g., as shown in FIG. 3 and referring only to the unitary outer wall 102, the first turbine stage nozzle outer band portion 110 and blade shroud portion 112 of the outer wall 102 converge toward the axial centerline 12. The second turbine stage nozzle outer band portion 114 and blade shroud portion 116 of the outer wall 102 diverge away from the axial centerline 12. As such, the outer boundary of flow path 100 formed by the unitary outer wall 102 defines a converging-diverging flow path 100.

Turning to FIGS. 5, 6, 7, and 8, cross-section views are provided of a portion of a flow path assembly 101 according to various exemplary embodiments of the present subject matter. As shown in the depicted embodiments, the flow path assembly 101 includes a unitary outer wall 102. As described above, the unitary outer wall 102 includes a combustor portion 104 that extends through the combustion section 26 and a turbine portion 106 that extends through at least a first turbine stage 82 of the turbine section 28; in the embodiments of FIGS. 5, 6, 7, and 8, the turbine portion extends through the second turbine stage 84. Further, the combustor portion 104 and the turbine portion 106 of the outer wall 102 are integrally formed as a single unitary structure and, thus, may be referred to as unitary outer wall 102. More particularly, as previously described, the combustor portion 104 of the unitary outer wall 102 comprises the outer liner 108 of the combustor 80, and the turbine portion 106 comprises the outer band 110 of the first turbine stage nozzle portion 82N, the shroud 112 of the first turbine stage blade portion 82B, the outer band 114 of the second turbine stage nozzle portion 84N, and the shroud 116 of the second turbine stage blade portion 84B. Although not shown in FIGS. 5, 6, 7, and 8, it will be appreciated that the flow path assembly 101 also includes an inner liner 122 of the combustor portion 104 and a first turbine stage inner band 124 of the first turbine stage 82, which in some embodiments may be integrated into a single piece inner wall 120. Moreover, in some embodiments, the unitary outer wall 102 or inner wall 120 also may include the combustor dome 118, or the unitary outer wall 102 and the inner wall 120 each may include a portion of the combustor dome 118. In still other embodiments, the outer wall 102, combustor dome 118, and the inner wall 120 may be integrally formed as a single piece, unitary structure.

Each of FIGS. 5, 6, 7, and 8 illustrate a second turbine stage nozzle portion 84N of an exemplary flow path assembly 101, including a plurality of second turbine stage nozzle airfoils 128 extending from the unitary outer wall 102 to a second turbine stage inner band 136. The figures also depict various features for positioning the second turbine stage inner band 136, which forms a portion of the inner boundary of the flow path 100, within the flow path assembly 101. More particularly, the inner band 136 is positioned in the flow path assembly 101 using a hub and spoke configuration, where the inner band 136 is the hub and the second stage turbine nozzle airfoils 128 are spokes that center and restrain the inner band 136 in the flow path assembly 101. The hub and spoke positioning configuration allows positive radial and angular positioning of the inner band 136 and any related inner band hardware, while not over-constraining the inner band 136 and related hardware and inhibiting movement of the inner band 136 and its hardware as the components thermally expand as engine temperatures increase. Thus, the hub and spoke positioning configuration allows the inner band 136 and its hardware to relatively freely thermally expand, thereby allowing relative radial growth between components having different coefficients of thermal expansion, such as CMC components and metallic components.

Referring particularly to FIG. 5, an exemplary embodiment of the hub and spoke configuration is illustrated. The depicted inner band 136 is formed as a single piece, generally annular structure, i.e., the inner band 136 extends as one piece a full 360° about the axial centerline 12 of engine 10. The plurality of second turbine stage nozzle airfoils 128 extend from the unitary outer wall 102 to the inner band 136. Further, as shown, each of the plurality of nozzle airfoils 128 interfaces with the inner band 136 to position the inner band within the flow path assembly 101. More specifically, each nozzle airfoil 128 has an inner end 128 a that is radially opposite an outer end 128 b. The inner end 128 a of each nozzle airfoil 128 is received within or otherwise attached to the inner band 136. In some embodiments, the inner band 136 may define a plurality of pockets 170 and the inner end 128 a of each nozzle airfoil 128 may be received within one of the plurality of pockets 170. In other embodiments, the plurality of nozzle airfoils 128 and the inner band 136 may be integrally formed as a single piece component. In any event, the plurality of nozzle airfoils 128 radially locates the inner band 136 within the flow path assembly free of additional structures for supporting the inner band 136, i.e., no struts or the like are needed between the inner band 136 and the outer wall 102. Rather, the plurality of nozzle airfoils 128, without internal struts, form spokes to center the inner band 136 within the unitary outer wall 102, which forms the outer boundary of the flow path assembly 101, in a hub and spoke configuration. Additionally, a rotating seal 137 may be included radially inward of inner band 136, e.g., to help seal against fluid leakage between the inner band 136 and the rotor blade platforms 132.

Turning now to FIGS. 6, 7, and 8, other exemplary embodiments of the hub and spoke configuration for positioning the inner band 136 is illustrated. In the depicted embodiments, the plurality of second turbine stage nozzle airfoils 128 extend from the outer wall 102 to the second turbine stage inner band 136 to position the inner band 136 within the flow path assembly 101, as described above with respect to FIG. 5. However, the embodiments shown in FIGS. 6, 7, and 8 also include a backing ring 180 radially inward of the inner band 136. The backing ring 180, e.g., may help prevent leakage from flow path assembly 101 of hot gases flowing through the flow path 100. As such, the backing ring 180 may be formed as a single piece, generally annular structure, i.e., the backing ring 108 may extend as one piece a full 360° about the axial centerline 12 of engine 10. As illustrated in FIGS. 6, 7, and 8, the backing ring 180 interfaces with the inner band 136 to position the backing ring 180 within the flow path assembly 101. Thus, the hub and spoke configuration including the backing ring 180 may be referred to as a tiered spoke centering configuration, where the nozzle airfoils 128 spoke center the inner band 136, which in turn centers the backing ring 180. Further, although not shown in the figures, the embodiments of FIGS. 6, 7, and 8 also may include a rotating seal 137 radially inward of the backing ring 180 similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 5.

Referring particularly to the embodiments shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the backing ring 180 attaches to the inner band 136 adjacent a radially inner side 135 of the inner band 136 to position the backing ring 180 within the flow path assembly 101. In the depicted embodiment, the backing ring 180 attaches to the inner side 135 of the inner band 136 using a straight spline joint 182, which allows radial movement while also providing radial positioning or centering of the backing ring 180. The straight spline joint 182 opens on an aft end 184 of the inner band 136 and backing ring 180 assembly, and a seal member 186 may be attached to the backing ring 180 to cover the open end of the straight spline joint 182, e.g., to prevent hot gases or other fluids from entering the interface between the inner band 136 and the backing ring 180. In the embodiment of FIG. 6, the seal member 186 may be retained in the backing ring 180 using a bayonet type joint, i.e., either the seal member 186 or the backing ring 180 defines one or more bayonets 188. The bayonet(s) 188 are received in one or more grooves 190 or other openings in the other of the seal member 186 or backing ring 180, e.g., upon rotating the seal member 186 with respect to the backing ring 180, to prevent the seal member 186 from separating from the backing ring 180. In the embodiment of FIG. 7, a portion 192 of the seal member 186 is received in a groove 194 of the backing ring 180 using an interference or press fit to prevent the seal member 186 from separating from the backing ring 180. It will be understood that, in some embodiments, the portion 192 of the seal member 186 may extend about the entire circumference of the seal member 186 and the groove 194 may extend about the entire circumference of the backing ring 180 such that the portion 192 contacts the groove 194 about the entire circumference. In other embodiments, the seal member 186 may comprise a plurality of portions 192 projecting toward the backing ring 180 and the backing ring 180 may define a plurality of grooves 194, such that one of the plurality of portions 192 is received in each of the plurality of grooves 194. However, the seal member 186 may be attached to the backing ring 180 or the inner band 136 in other ways to cover the open end of the straight spline joint 182. Further, in other embodiments, other types of joints 182 may be used between the inner band 136 and the backing ring 180, e.g., a dovetail joint or the like. A dovetail or similar joint may be more suitable for use when the backing ring 180 and inner band 136 are formed from the same material.

Turning now to FIG. 8, in other embodiments, the inner side 135 of the inner band 136 defines an opening 196 and the backing ring 180 defines an aperture 198 therethrough. A pin 200 is received in the opening 196 and the aperture 198 to attach the backing ring 180 to the inner band 136. More particularly, the pin 200 extends through the aperture 198 and into the opening 196 to pin the backing ring 180 to the inner band 136. The pin 200 may be press fit into the aperture 198 and/or opening 196 or an interference fit may be used between the pin 200 and the aperture 198 and/or opening 196 to secure the pin in place. In other embodiments, another retention mechanism, e.g., welding, brazing, or otherwise joining the pin 200 to the backing ring 180, may be used to secure the pin 200 in the opening 196 and aperture 198. In still other embodiments, the pin 200 may extend from inner band 136, e.g., the pin 200 may be integral with or attached to the inner band 136, and into the aperture 198 in the backing ring 180 to secure the backing ring 180 to the inner band 136. In such embodiments, the pin 200 may be secured in the aperture 198 using any of the foregoing techniques or any other suitable mechanism. Further, it will be appreciated that more than one pin 200 may be used to secure the backing ring 180 adjacent the inner side 135 of the inner band 136. For example, the inner band 136 may define a plurality of openings 196 and the backing ring 180 may define a plurality of openings 198, and one of a plurality of pins 200 may be inserted through each aperture 198 and into a corresponding opening 196.

As previously described, the hub and spoke configurations for positioning the inner band 136, and in some embodiments, the inner band 136 and backing ring 180, in the flow path assembly 101 and gas turbine engine 10 may be useful when the inner band 136 and/or backing ring 180 are made from a different material than, e.g., components surrounding and/or supporting the flow path assembly 101. For instance, in some embodiments, the unitary outer wall 102, the inner band 136, and the plurality of nozzle airfoils 128 are formed from a different material than the backing ring 180. For example, the unitary outer wall 102, the inner band 136, and the plurality of nozzle airfoils 128 may be formed from a ceramic matrix composite (CMC) material, while the backing ring 180 is formed from a metallic material, such as a metal or metal alloy. As such, the backing ring will thermally expand at a different rate than the unitary outer wall 102, inner band 136, and plurality of nozzle airfoils 128 because metallic materials have a different coefficient of thermal expansion than CMC materials. The hub and spoke configurations described herein may properly position the inner band 136 and backing ring 180 within the engine 10 while not over-constraining these components and inhibiting relative thermal growth between the inner band 136 and backing ring 180 and/or between the inner band 136, backing ring 180, and other surrounding or adjacent components of engine 10.

Methods for assembling a flow path assembly 101 utilizing a hub and spoke configuration for positioning the inner band 136, as well as the backing ring 180, also are provided. FIG. 9 provides a flow diagram of a method 900 for assembling a flow path assembly 101 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter. The flow path assembly 101 includes a unitary outer wall 102 that defines an outer boundary of a flow path 100 through the flow path assembly 101, as previously described. The unitary outer wall 102 has a combustor portion 104 extending through a combustion section 26 of the gas turbine engine 10 and a turbine portion 106 extending through at least a first turbine stage 84 of a turbine section 28 of the engine 10. The combustor portion 104 and the turbine portion 106 are integrally formed as a single unitary structure, i.e., unitary outer wall 102.

As illustrated at 902, the method 900 includes inserting an inner band 136 into the flow path 100. For instance, as previously described, the inner band 136 may be formed as a single piece, generally annular structure, which is inserted into the flow path 100 from an aft end of the unitary outer wall 102 such that the inner band 136 is within the outer boundary of the flow path 100 defined by the outer wall 102. Then, as shown at 904 and 906, the method 900 comprises inserting a plurality of nozzle airfoils 128 into the flow path 100 and securing the plurality of nozzle airfoils 128 with respect to the unitary outer wall 102. In some embodiments, the nozzle airfoils 128 may be inserted through openings 172 in unitary outer wall 102, e.g., as shown in FIG. 5, and the outer ends 128 b of the nozzle airfoils 128 secured to a retention assembly 174 that is radially outward from the outer wall 102. In other embodiments, the outer end 128 b of each nozzle airfoil 128 may be received in one of a plurality of pockets 176 defined in the unitary outer wall 102, e.g., as shown in FIGS. 6, 7, and 8, which secures the nozzle airfoils 128 with respect to the outer wall 102, which each nozzle airfoil 128 extending into the flow path 100. The plurality of nozzle airfoils 128 may be inserted and secured in other ways as well. Further, as described with respect to FIGS. 5, 6, 7, and 8, the inner band 136 interfaces with an inner end 128 a of each nozzle airfoil 128 of the plurality of nozzle airfoils 128 to radially locate the inner band 136 within the flow path 100. For example, the inner end 128 a of each nozzle airfoil 128 may be received in one of a plurality of pockets 170 defined in the inner band 136. However, in other embodiments as described above, the inner band 136 may be integral with the plurality of nozzle airfoils 128 such that the inner band 136 is inserted into the flow path 100 with the nozzle airfoils 128. In such embodiments, securing the plurality of nozzle airfoils 128 within the flow path assembly 101 positions the inner band 136 within the assembly 101.

As depicted at 908, in some embodiments, the method 900 includes securing a backing ring 180 adjacent an inner side 135 of the inner band 136, which positions the backing ring 180 within the flow path assembly 101. The backing ring 180 may be formed as a single piece, generally annular structure. In some embodiments, the backing ring 180 is secured to the inner band 136 using a straight spline joint 182, such that securing the backing ring 180 adjacent the inner side 135 of the inner band 136 comprises sliding the backing ring 180 onto the complementary shaped inner side 135 of the inner band 136. The open end of the straight spline joint 182 may be covered by a seal member 186 as described with respect to FIGS. 6 and 7, such that the method 900 includes securing the seal member 186 to the backing ring 180 and inner band 136 assembly. In other embodiments, the backing ring 180 is secured to the inner band 136 by a pin 200 as described with respect to FIG. 8, such that the method 900 includes inserting a pin 200 into an aperture 198 in the backing ring 180 and an opening 196 in the inner band 136 to secure the backing ring 180 adjacent the inner side 135 of the inner band 136. Of course, as further described with respect to FIG. 8, in some embodiments the pin 200 is secured to or part of the inner band 136, such that securing the backing ring 180 adjacent the inner side 135 of the inner band 136 comprises sliding the pin 200 into the aperture 198 in the backing ring 180 or sliding the backing ring 180 onto the pin 200 such that the pin 200 is received in the aperture 198.

Although illustrated and described with respect to second turbine stage 84, it will be appreciated that the subject matter of FIGS. 5, 6, 7, and 8, as well as method 900, is applicable to other turbine stages and other engine components. For example, in embodiments of flow path assembly 101 utilizing a first turbine stage inner band 124 that is separate from the inner liner 122, the first turbine stage nozzle airfoils 126 may be used to spoke center the first turbine stage inner band 124. As another example, the foregoing subject matter also may be used in the compressor section 24 or low pressure turbine 30 of the engine 10.

As previously stated, the outer wall 102, inner wall 120, and combustor dome 118, as well as the first and second turbine stage nozzle airfoils 126, 128, and second turbine stage inner liner 136, may comprise a CMC material. More particularly, in exemplary embodiments, the combustor portion 104 and the turbine portion 106 of flow path assembly 101 are integrally formed from a CMC material such that the resulting unitary structure is a CMC component. For example, where the combustor portion 104 includes the outer liner 108 of the combustor 80 and the turbine portion 106 includes the outer band 110 of the first turbine stage nozzle portion 82N, the shroud 112 of the first turbine stage blade portion 82B, the outer band 114 of the second turbine stage nozzle portion 84N, and the shroud 116 of the second turbine stage blade portion 84B, the outer liner 108, outer bands 110, 114, and shrouds 114, 116 may be integrally formed from a CMC material to produce a unitary CMC outer wall 102. As described above, in other embodiments, additional CMC components may be integrally formed with the outer liner 108, outer bands 110, 114, and shrouds 114, 116 to construct a unitary CMC outer wall 102. Similarly, the inner wall 120 may be formed from a CMC material. For instance, where the inner wall 120 comprises separate components, e.g., inner liner 122, inner bands 124, 136, and blade platforms 132, each component of the inner wall 120 may be formed from a CMC material. In embodiments in which two or more components are integrated to form a unitary inner wall 120, the components may be integrally formed from a CMC material to construct a unitary CMC inner wall 120.

Examples of CMC materials, and particularly SiC/Si—SiC (fiber/matrix) continuous fiber-reinforced ceramic composite (CFCC) materials and processes, are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,015,540; 5,330,854; 5,336,350; 5,628,938; 6,024,898; 6,258,737; 6,403,158; and 6,503,441, and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0067316. Such processes generally entail the fabrication of CMCs using multiple pre-impregnated (prepreg) layers, e.g., the ply material may include prepreg material consisting of ceramic fibers, woven or braided ceramic fiber cloth, or stacked ceramic fiber tows that has been impregnated with matrix material. In some embodiments, each prepreg layer is in the form of a “tape” comprising the desired ceramic fiber reinforcement material, one or more precursors of the CMC matrix material, and organic resin binders. Prepreg tapes can be formed by impregnating the reinforcement material with a slurry that contains the ceramic precursor(s) and binders. Preferred materials for the precursor will depend on the particular composition desired for the ceramic matrix of the CMC component, for example, SiC powder and/or one or more carbon-containing materials if the desired matrix material is SiC. Notable carbon-containing materials include carbon black, phenolic resins, and furanic resins, including furfuryl alcohol (C₄H₃OCH₂OH). Other typical slurry ingredients include organic binders (for example, polyvinyl butyral (PVB)) that promote the flexibility of prepreg tapes, and solvents for the binders (for example, toluene and/or methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK)) that promote the fluidity of the slurry to enable impregnation of the fiber reinforcement material. The slurry may further contain one or more particulate fillers intended to be present in the ceramic matrix of the CMC component, for example, silicon and/or SiC powders in the case of a Si—SiC matrix. Chopped fibers or whiskers or other materials also may be embedded within the matrix as previously described. Other compositions and processes for producing composite articles, and more specifically, other slurry and prepreg tape compositions, may be used as well, such as, e.g., the processes and compositions described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0157037.

The resulting prepreg tape may be laid-up with other tapes, such that a CMC component formed from the tape comprises multiple laminae, each lamina derived from an individual prepreg tape. Each lamina contains a ceramic fiber reinforcement material encased in a ceramic matrix formed, wholly or in part, by conversion of a ceramic matrix precursor, e.g., during firing and densification cycles as described more fully below. In some embodiments, the reinforcement material is in the form of unidirectional arrays of tows, each tow containing continuous fibers or filaments. Alternatives to unidirectional arrays of tows may be used as well. Further, suitable fiber diameters, tow diameters, and center-to-center tow spacing will depend on the particular application, the thicknesses of the particular lamina and the tape from which it was formed, and other factors. As described above, other prepreg materials or non-prepreg materials may be used as well.

After laying up the tapes or plies to form a layup, the layup is debulked and, if appropriate, cured while subjected to elevated pressures and temperatures to produce a preform. The preform is then heated (fired) in a vacuum or inert atmosphere to decompose the binders, remove the solvents, and convert the precursor to the desired ceramic matrix material. Due to decomposition of the binders, the result is a porous CMC body that may undergo densification, e.g., melt infiltration (MI), to fill the porosity and yield the CMC component. Specific processing techniques and parameters for the above process will depend on the particular composition of the materials. For example, silicon CMC components may be formed from fibrous material that is infiltrated with molten silicon, e.g., through a process typically referred to as the Silcomp process. Another technique of manufacturing CMC components is the method known as the slurry cast melt infiltration (MI) process. In one method of manufacturing using the slurry cast MI method, CMCs are produced by initially providing plies of balanced two-dimensional (2D) woven cloth comprising silicon carbide (SiC)-containing fibers, having two weave directions at substantially 90° angles to each other, with substantially the same number of fibers running in both directions of the weave. The term “silicon carbide-containing fiber” refers to a fiber having a composition that includes silicon carbide, and preferably is substantially silicon carbide. For instance, the fiber may have a silicon carbide core surrounded with carbon, or in the reverse, the fiber may have a carbon core surrounded by or encapsulated with silicon carbide.

Other techniques for forming CMC components include polymer infiltration and pyrolysis (PIP) and oxide/oxide processes. In PIP processes, silicon carbide fiber preforms are infiltrated with a preceramic polymer, such as polysilazane and then heat treated to form a SiC matrix. In oxide/oxide processing, aluminum or alumino-silicate fibers may be pre-impregnated and then laminated into a preselected geometry. Components may also be fabricated from a carbon fiber reinforced silicon carbide matrix (C/SiC) CMC. The C/SiC processing includes a carbon fibrous preform laid up on a tool in the preselected geometry. As utilized in the slurry cast method for SiC/SiC, the tool is made up of graphite material. The fibrous preform is supported by the tooling during a chemical vapor infiltration process at about 1200° C., whereby the C/SiC CMC component is formed. In still other embodiments, 2D, 2.5D, and/or 3D preforms may be utilized in MI, CVI, PIP, or other processes. For example, cut layers of 2D woven fabrics may be stacked in alternating weave directions as described above, or filaments may be wound or braided and combined with 3D weaving, stitching, or needling to form 2.5D or 3D preforms having multiaxial fiber architectures. Other ways of forming 2.5D or 3D preforms, e.g., using other weaving or braiding methods or utilizing 2D fabrics, may be used as well.

Thus, a variety of processes may be used to form a unitary structure, such as the outer wall 102 depicted in FIG. 3A, as a unitary CMC component. More specifically, a plurality of plies of a CMC material may be used to form each unitary structure. The plurality of plies may be interspersed with one another to integrate the various portions forming the unitary structure. As an example, the unitary outer wall 102 of FIG. 3A may be made from a plurality of outer liner plies, a plurality of first turbine stage outer band plies, a plurality of first turbine stage shroud plies, a plurality of second turbine stage outer band plies, and a plurality of second turbine stage shroud plies. Where the outer liner plies meet the first turbine stage outer band plies, ends of the outer liner plies may be alternated with ends of the outer band plies to integrate the plies for forming the outer liner portion with the plies for forming the first turbine stage outer band portion of the unitary outer wall 102. That is, any joints between the plies forming unitary outer wall 102 may be formed by alternating plies on one side of the joint with plies on the other side of the joint. As such, the plies for forming unitary outer wall 102 may be interspersed to integrate the plies and, thereby, each portion of the unitary outer wall 102. Of course, the CMC plies may be laid up in other ways as well to form the unitary structure. In addition, laying up the plurality of CMC plies may include defining features of the unitary structure or other component (e.g., inner liner 122 when not integrated with inner band 124 to from a unitary inner wall 120 or separate combustor dome 118 as shown in the embodiments of FIGS. 5A and 5B) such as openings 142 in combustor forward end 88, outer wall flange 144, inner wall flange 146, and pockets 170 in inner band 136.

After the plurality of CMC plies are laid up to define a unitary CMC component preform, the preform is cured to produce a single piece, unitary CMC component, which is then fired and subjected to densification, e.g., silicon melt-infiltration, to form a final unitary CMC structure. Continuing with the above outer wall 102 example, the outer wall preform may be processed in an autoclave to produce a green state unitary outer wall 102. Then, the green state unitary outer wall 102 may be placed in a furnace to burn out excess binders or the like and then placed in a furnace with a piece or slab of silicon and fired to melt infiltrate the unitary outer wall 102 with at least silicon. More particularly, for unitary outer wall 102 formed from CMC plies of prepreg tapes that are produced as described above, heating (i.e., firing) the green state component in a vacuum or inert atmosphere decomposes the binders, removes the solvents, and converts the precursor to the desired ceramic matrix material. The decomposition of the binders results in a porous CMC body; the body may undergo densification, e.g., melt infiltration (MI), to fill the porosity. In the foregoing example where the green state unitary outer wall 102 is fired with silicon, the outer wall 102 undergoes silicon melt-infiltration. However, densification may be performed using any known densification technique including, but not limited to, Silcomp, melt infiltration (MI), chemical vapor infiltration (CVI), polymer infiltration and pyrolysis (PIP), and oxide/oxide processes, and with any suitable materials including but not limited to silicon. In one embodiment, densification and firing may be conducted in a vacuum furnace or an inert atmosphere having an established atmosphere at temperatures above 1200° C. to allow silicon or other appropriate material or combination of materials to melt-infiltrate into the component. The densified CMC body hardens to a final unitary CMC outer wall 102. In some embodiments, the final unitary structure may be finish machined, e.g., to bring the structure within tolerance or to define openings 142 in forward end 88, and/or an environmental barrier coating (EBC) may be applied to the unitary structure, e.g., to protect the unitary structure from the hot combustion gases 66. It will be appreciated that other methods or processes of forming CMC components, such as unitary CMC outer wall 102, unitary CMC inner wall 120, or the like may be used as well.

Additionally or alternatively, other processes for producing unitary components may be used to form unitary outer wall 102 and/or unitary inner wall 120, and the unitary structure(s) may be formed from other materials. In some embodiments, an additive manufacturing process may be used to form unitary outer wall 102 and/or unitary inner wall 120. For example, an additive process such as Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM), Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), Stereolithography (SLA), Digital Light Processing (DLP), Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS), Laser Net Shape Manufacturing (LNSM), electron beam sintering or other known process may be used to produce a unitary outer wall 102 and/or a unitary inner wall 120. Generally, an additive process fabricates components using three-dimensional information, for example, a three-dimensional computer model, of the component. The three-dimensional information is converted into a plurality of slices, each slice defining a cross section of the component for a predetermined height of the slice. The component is then “built-up” slice by slice, or layer by layer, until finished. Superalloy metallic materials or other suitable materials may be used in an additive process to form unitary outer wall 102 and/or a unitary inner wall 120. In other embodiments, a unitary outer wall 102 and/or unitary inner wall 120 may be formed using a forging or casting process. Other suitable processes or methods may be used as well.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A flow path assembly for a gas turbine engine, the flow path assembly comprising: a unitary outer wall including a combustor portion extending through a combustion section of the gas turbine engine and a turbine portion extending through at least a first turbine stage of a turbine section of the gas turbine engine, the combustor portion and the turbine portion being integrally formed as a single unitary structure; an inner band formed as a single piece, generally annular structure; and a plurality of nozzle airfoils extending from the unitary outer wall to the inner band, wherein each of the plurality of nozzle airfoils interfaces with the inner band to position the inner band within the flow path assembly.
 2. The flow path assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality of nozzle airfoils radially locate the inner band within the flow path assembly free of additional structures for supporting the inner band.
 3. The flow path assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality of nozzle airfoils form spokes to center the inner band within the unitary outer wall in a hub and spoke configuration.
 4. The flow path assembly of claim 1, wherein each nozzle airfoil has an inner end and an outer end, and wherein the inner end of each nozzle airfoil is received in one of a plurality of pockets defined in the inner band.
 5. The flow path assembly of claim 1, further comprising a backing ring radially inward of the inner band, wherein the backing ring interfaces with the inner band to position the backing ring within the flow path assembly.
 6. The flow path assembly of claim 1, wherein each of the unitary outer wall, the inner band, and the plurality of nozzle airfoils are formed from a ceramic matrix composite material.
 7. The flow path assembly of claim 1, wherein the combustor portion of the unitary outer wall comprises an outer liner of the combustor, and wherein the turbine portion of the unitary outer wall comprises an outer band of a nozzle portion of the first turbine stage, a shroud of a blade portion of the first turbine stage, an outer band of a nozzle portion of a second turbine stage, and a shroud of a blade portion of the second turbine stage.
 8. A flow path assembly for a gas turbine engine, the flow path assembly comprising: a unitary outer wall including a combustor portion extending through a combustion section of the gas turbine engine and a turbine portion extending through at least a first turbine stage of a turbine section of the gas turbine engine, the combustor portion and the turbine portion being integrally formed as a single unitary structure; an inner band formed as a single piece, generally annular structure; a backing ring formed as a single piece, generally annular structure; and a plurality of nozzle airfoils extending from the unitary outer wall to the inner band, wherein each of the plurality of nozzle airfoils attaches to the inner band to radially position and restrain the inner band within the flow path assembly, and wherein the backing ring attaches to the inner band adjacent a radially inner side of the inner band to position the backing ring within the flow path assembly.
 9. The flow path assembly of claim 8, wherein the inner band is made from a different material than the backing ring.
 10. The flow path assembly of claim 9, wherein the unitary outer wall, the inner band, and the plurality of nozzle airfoils are formed from a ceramic matrix composite material, and wherein the backing ring is formed from a metallic material.
 11. The flow path assembly of claim 8, wherein the plurality of nozzle airfoils form spokes to center the inner band within the unitary outer wall in a hub and spoke configuration.
 12. The flow path assembly of claim 8, wherein the backing ring attaches to the inner band using a straight spline joint.
 13. The flow path assembly of claim 8, wherein the inner side of the inner band defines an opening and the backing ring defines an aperture therethrough, and wherein a pin is received in the opening and the aperture to attach the backing ring to the inner band.
 14. The flow path assembly of claim 8, wherein the combustor portion of the unitary outer wall comprises an outer liner of the combustor, and wherein the turbine portion of the unitary outer wall comprises an outer band of a nozzle portion of the first turbine stage, a shroud of a blade portion of the first turbine stage, an outer band of a nozzle portion of a second turbine stage, and a shroud of a blade portion of the second turbine stage.
 15. A method for assembling a flow path assembly of a gas turbine engine, the flow path assembly defining a flow path through a combustion section and at least a portion of a turbine section of the gas turbine engine, the flow path assembly comprising a unitary outer wall that defines an outer boundary of the flow path, the unitary outer wall including a combustor portion extending through the combustion section and a turbine portion extending through at least a first turbine stage of the turbine section, the combustor portion and the turbine portion being integrally formed as a single unitary structure, the method comprising: inserting an inner band into the flow path; inserting a plurality of nozzle airfoils into the flow path; and securing the plurality of nozzle airfoils with respect to the unitary outer wall, wherein the inner band interfaces with an inner end of each nozzle airfoil of the plurality of nozzle airfoils to radially locate the inner band within the flow path.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the inner band is formed as a single piece, generally annular structure.
 17. The method of claim 16, further comprising securing a backing ring adjacent an inner side of the inner band, wherein securing the backing ring to the inner band positions the backing ring within the flow path assembly, and wherein the backing ring is formed as a single piece, generally annular structure.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the backing ring is secured to the inner band using a straight spline joint.
 19. The method of claim 17, further comprising inserting a pin into an aperture in the backing ring and an opening in the inner band to secure the backing ring adjacent the inner side of the inner band. 